Locking device for portable receptacles



July 18, 1933. J. SCHOENFELD LOCKING DEVICE FOR PORTABLE RECEPTACLES Filed May 22. 1953 EEEEEER :3?

ATTORNEY Patented July 18, 1933 ITED STATS JACOB SCHOENFELD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LOCKING- DEVICE FGR PORTABLE RECEPTAGLES Application filedI/[ay 22,1933.

This invention relates to closures for receptacles such as handbags or other portable devices.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described having improved novel closure means operative ina convenient and expeditious manner.

' Another object of the invention is to furnish a device of the nature set forth having relatively few and simple parts, and which is inexpensive to manufacture, neat, novel, and attractive in appearance, and durable, reliable, and efficient in use.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

Other objects and advantages of the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subj oined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing: 7 i

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, with a part removed, showing a device embodying the invention, in locked position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the same in open position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

F at is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4 l of Fig. 2.

The advantages of the inventionas here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrmnentalities are combined in the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious tothose skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention. 1

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 denotes a device embodying the invention. The same may include a closure means having a plurality of any suitable frame members 11 Serial No. 672,187.

and 12 movable toward and away from each other for closingand opening a receptacle (not shown) attached to the frame members The latter may be of channel form in cross section and may each have an upper bar 13 and depending side bars 14 interengaged by pivot pins '15 carrying a conventional inner receptacle frame 16. For releasably closing the receptacle, a locking device 17 may be provided associated with the receptacle, as by means of the frame members 11, 12. For eX- ample, each of the bars 13 may have a rail carrying angle member 18 secured thereto and extending the'realong. Said angle members may terminate at 19 in spaced relation to the ends of the bars andmay be disposed on relatively opposite sides the latter.

The first rail 20 is mounted on one of the frame members and the second rail 21 is mounted on the other member, these rails eX- tending along the bars 13 parallel to each other and adapted to form a continuous track with each other in the closed position of the device. If desired, said rails may be formed as tubular elements or beads integral with 5 the angles 18, as shown in-Figs. 3 and 4.

Preferably the rail may include a plurality of spaced rail sections such as 22, and

desirably the rail 21 may include one or more spaced rail sections 23. Best results are obtained by providing the rail 20 with more sections than the rail 21. Of course the various rail sections 22, 23 are adapted to interfit in longitudinal alined relation with each other as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. For releasably interengaging said rails, an element is provided movable therealong, and mounted in conjunction with one of the rails so as to be disengageable from the other rail, and said element being so associated with the rail sections as to be adapted to engage two rail sections 22, 23 at any point along the rails'for holding the device locked. Preferably said element includes a roller or wheel to facilitate locking and unlocking act-ion. Thus the roller 2% may have a peripheral groove 25 for receiving the rails 20, 21 so as to travel therealong, and sa'idrollenmay have a diameter substantially greater than the length of the rail sections-22, 23, the latter being shown as of equal length for neatness in appearance. In this manner, the roller always engages rail sect-ions 22, 28 to hold the device locked, unless the roller is moved completely off from one of the rails, in which case the device is unlocked.

For mounting the element or roller 2st, any suitable means may be provided, such as a guide bar or third rail 26 which may be permanently associated with the second rail 20, in spaced parallel relation thereto. For example, the rail 26 may be formed of rela tively heavy round wire, and may have downward extending or curved end portions 27 for securing the rail. The portions 27 may lie at the ends of the frame and may terminate in end portions 28 extending toward each other and forming rail sections alined with the rail 20. Said sections 28 may have integral undercut pin portions 29 secured in adjacent end sections 22. In this manner, the rail 20 is provided with one or more end rail sections of substantially greater length than the other rail sections 22, 23 for receiving the roller 24- to disengage the rail 21.

The rail 26 engages in the peripheral groove 25 of the roller in opposite relation to the rail 20, and the former rail may have a degree of resilience for frictionally gripping the roller and pressing the same toward the rails 20, 21.

Movement of the roller 24 is limited by ond members 27, but it may be desirable to limit the path of movement to one portion of the rails 20, 21. Hence a stop means may be provided for the roller, such as a removable pin 37 connected to a rail, such as a rail section 23. Hence the device may be locked in a quick movement, the roller being stopped at 37 so as not to travel to the opposite end of the device and againunlock the same. The roller may be located off center in the locked position, in order to indicate in which direction the roller is to be moved forv opening the device.

It will be noted that the roller 24 may be regarded as a simple slide and function in the manner and according to the principles above set forth, and the terms roller and slide are intended to be synonymous.

It willb'e appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made in the device as shown in the drawing, and that the same is submitted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a portable receptacle, a plurality of frame members movable toward and away from each other for closing and opening the receptacle, said frame members having respectively a first rail and a second rail extending therealong and being adapted to form a continuous track with each other when the receptacle is closed, a roller having neiaove a peripheral groove for engaging said rails, holding means on the frame member having the first rail for guiding the roller for travel along the rails into a plurality of positions, said roller in one position engaging both rails for holding the same in said alinement and in another position engaging only the first rail, and stop means associated with one of the railsfor maintaining the roller in engagement with the first rail.

2. In a portable receptacle, a plurality of frame members movable toward and away from each other for closing and opening the receptacle, and releasable locking means for the frame members including a first rail secured to one of the frame members and a second rail secured to the other frame member, said railsextending along the frame members and being adapted to form a continuous track with each other in the closed position of the receptacle, a roller having a peripheral groove for engaging said rails, and said loclring means including a rollerholding portion and a roller stopping portion, said holding portion being mountedon the frame member having the first rail and guiding the roller for movement into a plurality of positions such that in one position the roller engages only the first rail and in a second position the roller engages both rails, and the stop portion maintaining the roller in en gagement with the first rail.

3. In a portable receptacle, a plurality of frame members movable toward and away from each other for closing and opening the receptacle, and releasable locking means for the frame members including a first rail secured to one of the frame membersand a second rail secured to the other frame member, said rails extending along the frame members and the first rail including a plurality of spaced rail sections receiving the second rail therebetween, the rail sections being adapted to aline with each other in the closed position of the receptacle, a roller having a peripheral groove for engaging said rails, and means on the frame member having the first rail for guiding the roller for movement along the rails, the second rail having a length so related to the diameter of the roller that when the latter is in a position of engagement with the second rail, engagement of the roller with the firstrail is maintained.

4:. In a portable receptacle, a plurality of frame members movable toward and away from each other for closing and opening the receptacle, and releasable locking means for the frame members including a first rail secured to one of the frame members and a second rail secured to the other frame member, each of said rails including a plurality of removably interfitting rail sections extending along the respective frame members and being adapted to aline in end to end relation with each other in the closed position of the member having the first rail and guidin receptacle, a roller having a peripheral groove for engaging said rails, and means on the frame member having the first rail for mounting the roller on the rails, the diameter of the roller being substantially greater than the length of said rail sections, and the first rail having an end rail section of substantially greater length than the other rail sections.

5. In a portable receptacle, a plurality of frame members movable toward and away from each other for closing and opening the receptacle, and releasable locking means for the frame members including a first rail secured to one of the frame members and a second rail secured'to the other frame member, said rails extending along the frame members and being adapted to form a continuous track with each other in the closed position of the receptacle, a roller having a peripheral groove for engaging said rails, and said locking means including a roller holding portion and roller stopping portion, said holding portion being mounted on the frame i g the roller for movement into a plurality tions such that in one position the roller engages only the first rail and in a second position the roller engages both rails, and the stop portion maintaining the roller in engagement with the first rail, and said guiding portion including a rail spaced from the other rails and engaged in the peripheral groove of the roller in opposite relation to the rails.

6. In a portable receptacle, a plurality of frame members movable toward and away from each other for closing and opening the receptacle, and releasable locking means for the frame members including a first rail secured to one of the frame members and a second rail secured to the other frame member, each of said rails including a plurality of reniovably interfit-ting' rail sections extending along the respective frame members and be ing adapted to aline in end to end relation with each other in the closed position of the receptacle, a roller having a peripheral of posigroove for engaging said rails, and means on the frame member having the first rail for mounting the roller on the rails, the diameter of the roller being substantially greater than the length of said rail sections, and the first rail having an end rail section of substantially greater length than the other rail sections, and the means for mounting the roller including a third rail extending in spaced parallel relation to the other rails and engaged in the peripheral groove of the roller in opposite relation to the other rails.

7. A portable receptacle including a first and a second frame member movable'toward and away from each other for closing and opening the receptacle, the first frame member having a rail, a guide spaced from and parallel to said rail, said guide consisting of a one piece resilient wire having end portions bent toward and secured to the first frame member, a grooved member fitted between the rail and guide and engaging the rail and guide for movement therealong, with the rail and guide bearing in the groove in opposed relation to each other, and the groove being of the same width as the respective rail and guide, and means on the second frame member releasably engageable by the grooved member upon movement of the latter.

8. A portable receptacle including a first and a second frame member movable toward and away from each bther for closing and opening the receptacle, the first frame member having a rail, a guide spaced from and parallel to said rail, said guide being mounted on the first frame member, means between said rail and guide including a plurality of separate plates disposed side by side and 1 means for resiliently urging said plates toward each other, said plates being undercut toward each other to provide groove means for receiving the rail and guide, with the plates resiliently engaging the rail and guide, and the second frame member having means releasably engageable by the first mentioned means upon movement of the latter along the rail and guide.

JACOB SOHOENFELD. 

